Hinge connection



March 1, 1932. H. M, GASSTRQM HINGE CONNECTION Filed June 25, 1927 Patented Mar. 1, 1932 r p I Lg HERMAN M. GASSTROM, OF MOUNT VERNON, YORK HINGE ooNNncrIoN Application filed June 25, 1927. Serial No. 201,375.

The present invention has reference to which form an integral part of this speciarticulated joints and pertains more especialiication, and wherein similarcharacters of ly to hinges for connecting the arms of tworeference are employed to designate correfoot measuring rules. spending elements wherever they occur in the Primarily the invention has for its object several views. v 55 to produce an improved hinge of the, type Referring t0 the said drawings which despecified, adapted for manufacture, assempict' this improved rule hinge on aconsiderbling and attachment to the ends of the secably enlarged scale: tions comprising the rule, by automatic ma- Figure I is a fragmentary, perspective view chinery, thereby avoiding all manual operaof a portion of a pocket rule, showing the 60 tions and reducing the cost of manufacture to iddle or laterally folding oint; aminimum. Figure II is a perspective view of one of A secondary object is so to construct a the hinge elements shown by thepreceeding hinge for the purpose set forth, that the porfigure;

tions thereof which are afhxable to the arm Figure III is a view similar to Figure II,V1G5 ti f th l can b d .1 th illustrating the same element reversed or same by clinching without the use of rivets turned over end for end so as to constitute lik tra art 7 V the companion member of the sidewise swing- Thirdly, the invention contemplates maklllglllngeg Y 7 i0 ing a hinge of the nature referred to, wherein F igure IV is also a perspective view, repreto the pivots connecting the coacting parts are e n lg a Spacer interposed between the coactheld from endwise movement and so propor- ,9, P ts of the aforementioned hinge tioned as not to require finishing after being ers;

a bl d, Figure V is a like View to the foregoing, Fourthly, the invention aims to provide a picturing a hollow rivet used to connect the hinge of the kind mentioned, admitting of h ng members and the spacer together;

the opposed and conjoined extremities ofthe Flgure'VI is a View similar to Figure I of rule arms being recessed alike by means of a modified form of the invention;

one forming tool following a single thru path, igure VIII is a sectional elevation of one 30 thus eliminating sharp corners and shoulders Of the hinge elements shown in Figure VI, the necessitating several settings and cutting Section being taken on the line VIIVII of o erations. 7 said figure, looking upwardly thereon;

A fifth object is to supply a hinge of the Figure VIII is a view similar to Figure character described, composed of a minimum VII, of the other one of the last-named hinge 35 number of simple parts combined to make elements, the section being had on the line up a light but amply strong and rigid struc- VIIIVIII of Figure VI. ture, not likely to become disarranged; be- Figure IX is a side elevation of a pin emsides capable of being produced by the least ployed in connecting together the hinge memexpensive labor. bers shown by Figures VII and VIII.

1 Other objects and advantages of the inven- Figure X shows a side elevationof a modition will be obvious and more .fully brought fied spacer. p v v out in the detailed description hereinafter Succintly outlined, the invention forming contained. v r the subject matter hereof, comprises corre- Generally stated, the invention consists of spondingly shaped hinge elements having opthe novel improvements, parts, combinations, positely disposed ears and recesses conformand features of construction herein shown and ing therewith, arranged in reversed relation des ribed, and particularly pointed out in one to the other. These elements are struck the appended claims. 7 up of sheet metal and have integrally formed A practical embodiment of the invention cheeks and backing members adapted to take is illustrated in the drawings hereto annexed, over and clasp therebetween the faces and.

the rules middle sections or arms, and

first to the head or central hin be perceived that the'same compr ses cheek bent from one edge of the formerin 'right-ang sides of the rule sections near the adjacent ends thereof. The inner or free perimetral edges of the cheeks are provided with counterwise extending flanges receivable within grooves cut therefor in the opposed surfaces of the rule sections. Prongs projecting from and in the plane of the above mentioned flanges, serve when forced into the material of which the rule sections are composed, to anchor the hinge elements thereto. Interposed between the beforenamed ears and reaching under a portion of the cheeks, is a spacer or filling washer. A hollow eyelet passed centrally thru the latter andclinched over the ears, maintains the parts last referred to, in cooperative alignment.

ii hile the accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred and what is now considered to be the best formof the invention, it Will be observed that the same is shown and described herein by Way of example only, and that other serviceable embodiments of this improved hinge are within the range of practical achievement, whether containing the totality or a less number of the novel features of construction herein disclosed.

Before commencing the detailed description of the invention, it will be stated, in order to convey a clearer idea of the scope thereof, that such parts ofthe improved'device as are indicated by letters of the alphabet thruout the present specification and accompanying drawings, appertain strictly speaking, to a known species of two-foot measuringrule. (in the other hand, those parts of the device, which are designated'by numerals, may be considered as entirely belonging to the invention. It is understood that no claim is made to any of the known parts aforesaid as possessed of actual originality, save that th'ru their association with the various elements of the improved hinge joint, they form anumber of combinations serving to accomplish severalnew and useful purposes.

Having now particular reference to Fi.

ure I of the annexed drawings, the letter A denotes one of the middle or leg sections of a rule; B, the other or companion section. These sections are respectively provided at one or' more of their edges with graduations, cl, 6, f, which registerand correspond with certain measurements, such as inches and fractions thereof, as is customary in four section,two-foot, folding pocket rules.

The peculiar construction and. arrangement ect of the head and knuckle jointswhich conn latter with the end sections or legs. will be descr bed w th particularity. iii-etc OlDt, it will members 11,13,- and backingpiece relation. thereto. 7 These members an d the backing are conveniently pressed from metal,

. therefrom.

preferably sheet brass, and have integrally formed therewith, circularly shaped cars 17 and similarly rounded recesses 19, which are coextensive and disposed in the same parallel planes as the cheeks 11, 13, respectively. The aforementioned members with their backing and the ear, which conjointly constitute a hinge element, are applied in pairs, in inverted relation, to the oining extremities of the middle sections A and B. The ears 1'? of the paired elements are oppositely dirposed with respect to the recessed portions 19, fitting into the latter so as to receive support As will be noticed from Fig. l, the cheek members are made to take over the opposed wider sides A1, B1, of the rule sections, near the terminals aand Z2 thereof. The outer limits or side edges 21, 23, of the members 11, 13, are located in a plane passi I radially thru the centre of the. cars 17. hermore, said edges 21, 23 are disposed in right angular relation. to the narrower sides of the sections A, B, one whereof is denoted A2, coinciding as Well with the said terminals (1-, Z), of these sections. The backins s 15 which are included between each pair of the saidcheelcs 11 and 13, are also in opposition to the before named narrow sides of the rule sections, and

these together with the wider sides of the lat--- ter are dressed off or routed to a depth corresponding to the thickness of the metal of which the hinge elements are made, sot-hat when the same are placed in their assigned positions, they will lie flush with all three faces of the rule sections encompassed by the elements in question.

From the free, inner margins 25, 27, of the cheeks or wings 11, 13, which arearcuately curved, extend in counterwise directions, inwardly of the gap formed intermediately of the before named members, lips or flanges 29, 31, following the. contours of said margins 25,27 respectively. Theselips are designed to enter grooves 33, 35 (Fig. I) cut into the opposed wider faces A1, B1, of the middle sections of the rule. By reason of the fact that the before named grooves'follow a like circular arc to the margins 25, 27, these grooves can be milled wlth a tool carried by thus effecting a considerable saving of time and expenses. The cheeks in question can be readily applied to the seating portions referred to, because the former will yield to a certain extent without becoming distorted, sufficiently nevertheless, to enable the said check members to open up, permitting the lips .29, 31 to pass over the seats alluded to, until these lips are pushed in-farenough to reach the grooves 33, 35, into which the said lips or flanges 29', 31, will immediately snap or find lodgement. In order to positively anchor the'hinge elements in their assigned positions to the rule ends and preventing displacement thereof, the cheeks of the said elements are furnished with prongs or teeth 37, 39, adapted to be driven or forced into the wood whereof the sections of the rule are generally composed. As illustrated, these prongs may form continuations of and extend in the same plane and direction as those of the lips 29, 31, namely, counterwise one to the other.

Interposed between the ears 1'? of the cheek vious that the same can be composed of two The pintle 51 functions with this modified spacer as described for the spacer 4:1. It will be observed with reference to Fig. Lthat said spacer 41 is of a size larger than eitherone of the ears 17, or the inside contours of the recessed portions 19. The borders or edges of-both of these parts which overlie the said spacer, are supported thereon and afford pro.- tection against 1n ury or disarrangement. The inside corners of the rule sections in order to'accommodate the spacing'washer 41,

are gouged out as indicated at 43, Fig. I.

' Similarly, the adjacent portions of the backings 15, are provided with notches d5, (Figs.

1 7 tremities 58 of this pintle, which incidentally may consist of an eyelet or hollow rivet, to lie flush with the exterior faces of the ears 17, the latter are preferably countersunk or pressed inwardly around the openings 47 to simulate the recessed seats denoted at'55 (Figs. II and III) The spacer 41 is treated in a like manner on "both of its flat faces to afford a clearance'for each of the aforementioned ear seats 55. It is an easy. matter, when the hlnge parts proper become worn and loose, to press together the flanged over end portions 53 of the connecting pintle 51, inzorder to take upwear therebetween. Moreover, it will be comprehended, that if a snug working fit is bad interadjacent the contacting superfices of the spacer 41 and its recesses 49, the frictional resistance of these surfaces upon one another, will materially aid in maintaining the hinge elements and the thereby carried rule sections firmly in adjusted position. r

The arrangement of the knuckle joint which hingedly couples the outer extremity of the arm A together with the adjacent end of the leg C, corresponds approximately with the articulated connection previously referred to. A 'modificatlon and constructlon embodying the same invention and analogous principle is disclosed in Figs. VI to IX. In these several views all'parts substantially equivalent to'those already 'described, are designated by the same reference characters to which letter exponents have been suffixed.

Referring to the figures first named, the structure therein shown, comprises also cheeks and backings 11m, 13m, and 15m, 153 In this instance, the latter coact with the wider under sides A1, C1, of the rule sections A and C, while the aforenamed'cheeks engage the narrower sides A2, C2, of the said sections. It will be perceived that both of the cheeks 1100 included in the outermost or left hand one ofthese hinge elements, are located opposite one another, near the end of the leg section 0, and also that paired ears 1700 have their aligned axes in the plane of the backing 1500, being formed preferably integral therewith, in proximity to the outside faces of the said cheeks and extending counterwise inwardly therebetween. The other hinge element consists of the oppo sitely facing wing members 13% and the backing 15y, of which the latter takes over the corresponding side of the outer extremity of the arm A, and is provided centrally thereof with a single but wider ear 17y, adapted to fit in between the ears 17:0 of the companion element first referred to. The last mentioned backing 151 as well as the cheeks or wings 1300 are cut out as shown at 1900, to afford the proper Working clearance for the above named paired ears 17m. By virtue of the. construction hereinbefore described, the ear 17y serves as a filler or spacer intermediate the narrower, similar appendages 17 00, thus dispensing with a sep arate adjunct for this purpose. Both the narrower ears 15a: and the wider one 15y, are provided with tongues 59, 61. respectively, constituting extensions or continuations thereof. It vwillbe noticed'that the aforesaid tongues are bent orv folded uponthe backings 15m and 153 from which their said ears are formed. The ends of the' leg and arm sections ofthe rule which overlie these tongues, serve to keep-the latter in place-r from opening up under stress being-applied thereto. V,

In conformity with the other species of hinge, the curved outer edges of the cheeks 11:0,, 1300, are provided with inwardlyprojecting'lips 2900, 3100, having similar prongs 37m, 39.70, respectively, as those of the first mentioned type-of articulated connection. A pintle 5150 which operatively couples the sin- ,,-gle and double ears 17y and 1750,:130 one another, are preferably lodged within both of pressed together.

these cars beforethe same and the therewith connected tongues 61 and 59 are closed :01 Means serving the same purpose as the upset ends of the first mentioned pintle, namely-to preventiaxial :dis

tuberance 63 is thus formed with the earlTy .-which encompassesthe lug 53, seen mosticlear- 1y in Figs. VI and VIII. I

The routing of the-faces and sides of the adjoining extremities of the arms and legs of the rule sections to provide seats for the cheeks and hackings of the aknuckle jointed hinge elements, as well as the grooves to receive the cheek-l1ps,-1s performed in the same manner as for the SlClGWlSG s-vvlngingcentral hinge connection.

It is-entirely feasible ,and practical to do all the work required; on the 'rule (sections by automatic machinery and as'will be manifest .thetwo forms of hinge elements herein Edisclosedcanbe produced and assembled .by gang dies operating 111 sequence andautomatlcally.

Even to place and afiix the completedhinge elements onto the prepared .endsofthe rule sections, may be efiected by special devices without any manual laboror handling. Not alone is thecost of production ozfameasuring rule made asherein described, very low,.s till .sucharule will be both strong and rigid there being besides :no :likelihoodof the same get- I ting out of order.

In its broader aspects, the inventionis .not

limited tothc precise featuresof construction and arrangement .of-parts herein shown and described, nor vvto any particular'means by which it can-be carried into eiiect, as many changes may be made in the ClBilZlllS wlthont departing from the principles of the inven tion or sacrificingits chiefadvantagesw, v

that I des re to secure by Letters Patent of the United .States, .and claimis,:

,1. Anarticulated joint ottheztype specifled comprising in combination with the .sec-

,ti ons ,of a measuring rule having the .adj acent extremities thereof oppositely grooved and provided with like seating portions, ;a pair of elements including flanged cheek members adapted to take oversaid portions with the flanges thereoflodged in said grooves, said flanges being furnished with prongs capable of entering the sections beneath-the grooves therein, and hingedly connected wears coextensive with said members disposed in staggered relation there-from, said ears serving to operatively unite theelementsand the rulev v sectionscarried thereby,

2. .An articulated joint of the type-specified,comprising in combination with hingedlyuconnectedrule members of rectangular cross section. having .theiradjacent endsin abutting relation when .the rule is extended, avp'air of joint part-s composed of sheet metal and each embodying cheeks designed to take I over opposite parallel faces ota .ru-le member, said cheeks being integrally connected by a backingportion adapted to overlie an inter-mediate edge of the rule member, the 7 said cheeks being provided at their edges with inturnedshallowfl-anges capable of engaging supplemental grooves in the corresponding faces of-the rule members, said joint parts including .complemental hinge elements, and means pivotally connecting the latter.

3. An articulated oi-nt of the type specified, comprising incom'bination with hingedly connected rule members of rectangular cross section having their-adjacent ends in abutting relation when the rule is extended,

a pair-of joint parts composed ofsheet metal and each embodying cheeks designed :totake over opposite parallel faces "of asrule member, said cheeks .being integrally connected by a backingportionadapted to overlie an intermediate edge of the rule member, the said cheeks being provided at their edges with inturned shallow flanges capable of en- I gaging supplemental grooves in the cor-responding faces of the rule members, said :JOl'IllZ parts being formed wlthc-entrally apertured hinge .ears disposed in opposed complemental relation, and pivotalmeans con-. 1 necting said cars.

at. An articulated joint ofthe-type-specified, comprising incombination with hinged-l-yconnected rule members of rectangular cross sectionha-ving their adjacent ends in abutting v relation when the rule is extended, a pair of oint partscomposedof sheet metal and each embodying cheeks designed to take over op- I posite parallel tacos of arule member, said cheeks beingintegrally connected by a back-- ing portion adapted tooverl-ie an intermediate edgeof the ruleniembcr, thesaid cheeks j being provided at their edges with jintur-ned shallow flanges capable of engaging supple- .mental grooves in thecorresponoling facesof,

the rule members, said joint parts being formed with centrally perforated hinge ears disposed in opposed complemental relation, a similarly apertured spacing disc located between said ears and substantially equal in thickness to the rule members, and a tubular pintle passing through the aligned openings in the hinge ears and said spacer, said pintle including end flanges compressible to retain the joint parts in pivotal connection.

5. An articulated joint of the type specified, comprising in combination with hingedly connected rule members of rectangular cross section having their adjacent ends in abutting relation when the rule is extended, a pair of joint parts composed of sheet metal and each embodying cheeks designed to take over 013- posite parallel faces of a rule member, said cheeks being integrally connected by a backing portion adapted to overlie an intermediate edge of the rule member, the said cheeks being provided at their edges with inturned shallow flanges capable of en aging supplemental grooves in the corresponding faces of the rule members, said joint parts being formed with centrally perforated hinge ears disposed in opposed complemental relation, a similarly apertured spacing disc located between said ears and substantially equal in thickness to the rule members, the faces of said spacer adjacent its aperture being countersunk and the margins of the perforations in the hinge ears being depressed to enter the latter, and a pintle passing through the aligned openings in the spacer and the said ears, said pintle including ends compressible to retain the joint parts pivotally connected.

6. An articulated joint of the type specified, :omprising in combination with hingedly connected rule members of rectangular cross section having their adjacent ends in abutting relation when the rule is extended, a pair of joint parts composed of sheet metal and each embodying cheeks designed to take over opposite parallel faces of a rule member, said cheeks being integrally connected by a backing portion adapted to overlie intermediate edge of the rule member, the said cheeks being provided at their edges with inturned shallow flanges capable of engaging supplemental grooves in the corresponding faces of the rule members, said oint parts being formed with centrally apertured hinge ears disposed in opposed complemental relation, and pivotal means connecting said ears, the cheek of one oint part being cut away arcuately to fit the periphery of the hinge ear on the other one of said parts.

7. A joint part for articulates joints of the type specified, said joint part being composed of sheet metal and comprising substantially parallel cheeks designed. to take over opposite faces of a rule member, said cheeks each havingan arcuate edge and being connected at an edge opposite said arcuate edges by an integral backing portion adapted to overlie another face of the member, the arcuate cheek edges opposite said backing portion being provided with opposed inturned lips conforming to the curvature of the free arcuate edges thereof, said lips being adapted to engage complemental grooves in the first named faces of the rule member, and the said joint part having an extending element capable of being united for pivotal movement with a similar element on a companion joint member.

8. A oint part for articulated joints of the type specified, said joint part being composed of sheet metal and comprising substantially parallel, cheeks designed to take over opposite faces of a rule member, said cheeks each having an arcuate edge and being connected at an edge opposite said arcuate edges by an integral backing portion adapted to overlie another face of the member. the arcuate cheek edges opposite said backing portion being provided with opposed inturned lips conforming to the curvature of the free arcuate edges thereof, said lips being adapted to engage comnlemental grooves in the first named faces of the rule member. the inner edges of the lips on the said cheeks havina prongs point-ing one towards the other and capable of entering into the member beneath the bottoms of said grooves, and the said joint part having an extending ear element for hingedly uniting the same to a similar element on a companion joint member. v

9. A joint of the character described for the middle sections of a measuring rule, com prising for each section of the rule a pair of parallel cheek members, a backing at right angles to and connecting each pair of parallel cheek members, each pair of cheek members with its backing adapted to be seated on one of the adjacent sections of the measuring rule, the inner corners of the side and end faces of the sections of the rule adjacent to said backing being gouged out, and the inner end of each backing having a notch formed therein, adjacent to the gouging in the rule sections, an ear having an axial perforation formed with one of the cheeks of each pair of cheeks, the said ears being oppositely positioned relatively to each other, axially apertured spacing means interposed between said ears, the gouged out portions of the middle sections of the rule and the notches in the backings forming clearance spaces for said spacing means, and pivotal means uniting said ears passing through their perforations and through the aperture of said spacing means.

HERMAN M. GASSTROM. 

